Apparatus for improving the image and sound processing capabilities of a camera

ABSTRACT

The image pickup apparatus has a camera which encodes object image data, further comprises a recording unit 101 for recording image data, a connector 200 for connecting the camera with an expansion card 111 including a signal processor 701 for processing image data stored in the recording unit 101, and a memory and bus controller 102 for controlling image data, and the signal processor 701 controls so that program data transmitted from the camera 100 is written in a flash ROM 703 via an expansion bus interface 201.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/346,022, filed on Nov.29, 1994 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and, moreparticularly, to an image pickup apparatus coupled to an externalcomputer which processes and records picked-up images and sounds, andreplays the images.

Conventionally, character recognition software installed in a personalcomputer as an application recognizes characters by analyzing image dataof an original scanned by a flat bed scanner or the like, then outputsdata as a text file. Furthermore, there is developed a digitalelectronic still camera which records an image in a digital recordmedium, such as a semi-conductor memory card and a compact hard disc, asdigital signals. The digital record medium is constructed so that datais read by a personal computer.

The digital electronic still camera records the image in the recordmedium in a data format which can be recognized by employing thecharacter recognition software, (e.g., Tag Image File Format (TIFF),Joint Photographic Image Coding Expert Group (JPEG), thereby it ispossible to input the image file, based on the picked up image, which isstored in the digital record medium to a personal computer to recognizecharacters by executing a character recognition software, and output theresult as text.

The structure of the above-described electronic still camera is shown inFIG. 10. Below, conventional technology is explained with reference toFIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the digital electronic camera 800 is an electronicstill camera employing Japan Electronic Industry DevelopmentAssociation's (JEIDA's) digital camera format, and a record medium 801is a memory card conforming to Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association (PCMCIA) standard, for instance. In thedigital electronic camera 800, an image pickup lens 1, andiaphragm-and-shutter 2 having function of an iris diaphragm and ashutter, a stroboscope 3, mechanical and operational unit control CPU 4for controlling operational unit and mechanical parts of the apparatus,and mechanical part driving circuit 5 for driving each mechanical partof the apparatus are set for picking up an image of an object. Then theimage of the object is electrically processed by an imaging element 6which converts reflected light from the object (optical image) intoelectrical signals, a timing signal generator 7 (called "TG" as timinggenerator, hereinafter) for generating a timing signal which isnecessary to drive the imaging element 6, an imaging element drivingcircuit 8 for amplifying the signal from the TG 7 to the level where theimaging element 6 is to be driven, preprocessor 9 comprising CDS circuitfor removing output noises generated by the imaging element 6 and anonlinear amplifier which amplifies the image before an analog-digitalconversion, an analog-digital converter (A/D converter) 10, a buffermemory 12 for storing the display image, a signal processor control CPU13 for controlling signal processors, an operation display 14 fordisplaying the image to support operation means and state of a camera,and operational unit 15 for externally controlling the camera. Further,the digital electronic camera 800 and the memory card 801 are connectedvia a memory controller 802, a digital signal processor 803 forconverting the format of the output result from the imaging element 6into the format suitable for recording in the memory card 801, and amemory card I/F 804 for transmitting the signal from the digital signalprocessor 803 to the memory card 801.

Next, an operation of a conventional digital electronic camera will bedescribed.

First, a user operates the operational unit 15 and a camera startspicking-up an image, and lenses are controlled by the mechanical andoperational unit control CPU 4 and the mechanical part driving circuit 5on the basis of the user's designation. At this time, state of thecamera is displayed on the operation display 14 in order to notify theuser the state of the camera. Further, a brightness measuring circuit(not shown) measures brightness of the object, then a diaphragm valueand a shutter speed of the diaphragm-and-shutter 2 are set by themechanical and operational unit control CPU 4 in accordance with themeasured brightness. The mechanical part driving circuit 5 drives thediaphragm-and-shutter 2 in accordance with the control values, namelythe diaphragm value and the shutter speed, set by the mechanical andoperational unit control CPU 4. Further, the image may be taken byflashing the stroboscope 3 depending upon the value from the brightnessmeasuring circuit (not shown). As described above, the object isexposed, and reflected light from the object goes into the imagingelement 6 through the image pickup lens 1 and the diaphragm-and-shutter2. The diaphragm-and-shutter 2 controls the amount of in-coming light tothe imaging element 6 as well as preventing signal charge from influenceof the in-coming light during transmission of the image when aninterlace reading type charge-coupled device (CCD) is used as theimaging element. The imaging element 6 is driven in accordance with thedriving signal, an amplified output of the TG 7, by the imaging elementdriving circuit 8. TG 7 operation is controlled by the signal processingcontrol unit CPU 13. The output from the imaging element which is drivenas described above is sent to the pre-processor 9. The pre-processor 9performs γ-correction, separation of color signal forming, and whitebalancing on the image signal, further performs CDS process for removinglow frequency noises included in the output from the imaging element,and also performs non-linearization of the image pick-up element outputfor efficient use of the dynamic range of the A/D converter. Thepre-processed image signal is converted into a digital signal by the A/Dconverter 10, then inputted into the memory controller 802. At thememory controller 802, the digitized image data is temporarily stored inthe buffer memory 12 in accordance with the control signal from thesignal processor control CPU 13, and subsequently read the image data inpredetermined order which is determined depending on, for example,construction of the color filters of the imaging element. The readdigital image data is compressed, encoded, and changed to data in apredetermined format by the digital signal processor 803, thentransmitted to the memory card 801 via the memory card I/F 804 andrecorded there. JPEG method (described in ISO/IEC DIS 10918-1) which isprescribed as an International Standard method can be used as a methodof encoding a still image. The conventional digital electronics cameraprocesses the image of the object by performing aforesaid operation.

The above-described conventional image pickup apparatus, such as ascanner and an electronic still camera, is constructed so that itutilizes the character recognition software for reading an image fileand recognizing it as characters, or executes the driving software fordriving the scanner to obtain image data, then recognizes it ascharacters. When an image is read by a scanner for characterrecognition, a plurality of read files are made for characterrecognition. The user can name a plurality of files so that the user caneasily know the contents of the files later. Therefore, it is notdifficult to designate one of those files when the user is executing thecharacter recognition software. In a case where image data is receiveddirectly from a scanner driven by executing a character recognitionsoftware, data for character recognition delimited since the user setsan original whose characters are to be recognized on the scanner.

According to the utilization process as described above, reading anoriginal by a scanner and character recognition by the characterrecognition software are performed at almost the same time, thus therewill be little difficulties, for a user, to provide and designate dataof characters to be recognized by the character recognition software.

However, when an image taken by the conventional digital electronicstill camera is recognized by executing the character recognitionsoftware, there are problems as described below.

When a user takes an image including characters to be recognized byusing the digital electronic still camera, the user can not name theimage file, thus the user has to check all of the image files includingnatural picture images and images on which the character recognition isto be performed in order to find the file for the character recognition,then the image files including characters to be recognized have to beread by executing the character recognition software. This is a time andenergy consuming process. Furthermore, there may be a considerable timeinterval between when the user took an image and when a personalcomputer start operating character recognition process, thus it may notbe easy for the user to designate which file or files needs/need to beused.

Further, all of the common natural picture images taken by the user andthe files for the character recognition can be processed successively byexecuting the character recognition software, however, time will bewasted for making the character recognition software analyze the naturalpicture image. Accordingly, the system is very inconvenient.

Further, the conventional digital electronic still camera can notinputted a character recognition function as well as sound recognitionfunction, or convert and process sound into character data.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the abovesituation, and has its object to provide a recording and replayingapparatus which automatically and efficiently performs characterrecognition of an image taken by an apparatus, such as a digitalelectronic still camera, by executing a character recognition software.

Another object is to provide a user friendly image pickup apparatuswhich is compact, low in price, and easy to use, and which is easilyportable and easy to expand and add functions by making an expansioncard having a character recognition apparatus or the like detachable.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained byproviding an image pickup apparatus having a camera which encodes anobject image into object image data, comprises: recording means forrecording the image data; connecting means for connecting a unit havinga signal processing circuit which processes image data stored in therecording means; and a branching means for determining selection ofeither the camera or the recording means from which the object imagedata is transmitted via the connecting means when the unit is connected.

The foregoing object is also attained by providing an image pickupapparatus having a camera which encodes sound data, comprising:recording means for recording the sound data; connecting means forconnecting a unit having a signal processing circuit which encodes thesound data stored in the recording means; and a branching means fordetermining selection of either the camera or the recording means fromwhich the sound data is transmitted via the connecting means when theunit is connected.

Further, the foregoing object is also attained by providing an imagepickup apparatus for inputting sound data as well as image data,comprising: image processing means for converting the image data intodigital data; and sound processing means for converting the sound datainto digital data, wherein the digitized image and sound data arecombined and recorded.

Further, the foregoing object is attained by providing a recordingapparatus comprising recording means for recording image data andoperation means capable of adding predetermined information to the imagedata file in order to automatically detect files on which apredetermined process is executed among image data files to be stored inthe recording means, further comprising another operation means capableof detecting image data files which is recorded with additionalinformation and performing predetermined processes.

Further, the foregoing object is attained by providing a recording andreplaying apparatus, comprising: recording means for recording the imagedata; first operation means for adding specific information to files onwhich first predetermined process is performed so that those files canbe automatically detected out of image data files stored in saidrecording means; and second operation means for detecting the image datafiles recorded with the specific information by said first operationmeans, and performing second predetermined process.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digitalelectronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an expansion card according tothe embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a display during a character recognition processaccording to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a display of a character recognition result and aprocess for correction according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of data format inside of a file when aflag is inserted there in a case where JPEG method is applied;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing a recording process according tothe embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing the character recognition process alongwith an automatic selection process of files when the processes areperformed simultaneously according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing a process which compares charactersequences in accordance with file information obtained through characterrecognition, and which sort files which are relate to each other; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of aconventional electronic camera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

A digital electronic camera according to the embodiment comprises aninterface for a record medium to exchange data between the record mediumand the camera, an image signal processor, a data compressor, anexpansion card interface having controller for interfacing with anexternal device, and a connector for connecting the camera and theexpansion card. The digital electronic camera of the embodiment has theminimum functions for being used as a digital electronic camera when theexpansion card is not attached. However, by attaching the expansioncard, image and sound processing abilities dramatically improve and afunction for accessing an external interface is provided, thus asuperior system can be constructed. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are block diagramsof the digital electronic camera and the expansion card, respectively.

In FIG. 1, elements which have the same function as the ones expressedin the aforesaid conventional example with reference to FIG. 10 aregiven the same reference numerals as in FIG. 10, and the explanation ofthese elements will be omitted.

Record medium 101 can be a memory card or a hard disk of the PCMCIAstandard. A file format of the record medium follows DOS file systemstandard by JEIDA, for example. Further, a record medium I/F 104 is aninterface of JEIDA standard or the like, and composed of logic circuitsand interface connectors. Compressed encoded data is stored in therecord medium 101 in accordance with an interface protocol. Further, thesound input unit 20 and the sound output unit 22 can be audio jack andspeakers, respectively. An A/D sound converter 24 converts an electricalsignal which is converted from a sound signal to a digital signal, and aD/A sound converter 25 converts a signal from the signal processorcontrol CPU 13 controlling various kinds of signals into an analogsignal. A switch 501 is a selection circuit for the sound signal to beoutputted to the sound output unit 22. A memory and bus controller 102transmits image and sound data to the signal processor control CPU 13,an expansion card 111, and the record medium 101 as well as transmitsthe image data to the buffer memory 12 for display.

A D/A converter 26 converts a digital image signal from the buffermemory 12 to an analog image signal for display. An image output unit 23is an image display device which displays an image based on imagesignals inputted via a switch 502. The switch 502 is a selection circuitfor an image signal to be outputted to the image output unit 23. Anexpansion I/F 110 is an interface circuit between the expansion card 111and the main body of the camera 100 (called "camera 100" hereinafter).The expansion I/F 110 and the expansion card 111 are constructed so asto be connected with each other via a connector 200. The connector 200is used when a sound data control program, an image control program orthe like is changed by using a host computer 112.

The camera 100 has a record operational unit 16 which comprises acharacter recognition mode setting button 18, a switch button 17 forinitiating a release operation, and an external liquid crystal display(LCD) 19 for displaying the mode or the like.

With the construction as described above, it is possible to transmitdata converted in accordance with a predetermined equations, to recorddata received from an external interface in the record medium 101 afterconverting the form of the data, and to transmits data to the externalinterface after converting the form of data.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the expansioncard according to the embodiment.

In FIG. 2, a RISC CPU 701 is a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)processor capable of high speed operation, and a program RAM 702 is aRAM for storing an operational program for the RISC CPU 701, further, aflash ROM 703 is a lump erasing type ROM for storing Basic Input/OutputSystem (BIOS) of the RISC CPU 701. The RISC CPU 701 interchanges datawith the expansion I/F 110 of the camera 100 by using an expansion busI/F 201 via the connector 200. Further, the RISC CPU 701 outputs adigital image signal from the camera 100 which is transmitted via theexpansion bus I/F 201 to a image signal processor 203. The digital imagesignal is converted into a standard component video signal (e.g., a RGBsignal) in the image signal processor 203, then outputted to athinning-out processor 204. After the converted signals are thinned-out(to one-eighth of the original image in horizontal and verticaldirections, for instance), the thinning-out processor 204 transferssignals to a buffer memory 205. The image signals temporarily stored inthe buffer memory 205 are transmitted to a video encoder 609 via a D/Aconverter 610, then outputted to the camera 100 as analog signals byfollowing control instructions from the CPU 701. Meanwhile, the buffermemory 205 transfers the image data to an animationcompression/expansion circuit 608 in accordance with a controlinstruction from the CPU 701. At the animation compression/expansioncircuit 608, the image data is compressed or expanded as needed, thentransmitted to a bus controller 206. The bus controller 206 transfersthe compressed or expanded image data to a device having a monitor, suchas a personal computer, via an external I/F controller 207 in accordancewith a control instruction from the RISC CPU 701. Accordingly, a usercan confirm an image to be recorded as an animation on a monitor. An A/Dconverter 611 converts an image or sound signal inputted from the camera100 into digital signals, and transfers the signal to the RISC CPU 701,whereas, a D/A converter 612 converts a signal from the RISC CPU 701 toanalog signals, then transmits it to the camera 100 as an analog soundsignal.

Next, an operation of the embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment, the record medium 101 storing a program in BIOS levelfor RISC CPU 701 is attached to the camera 100 in FIG. 1, and theexpansion card 111 is also attached to the camera 100 via the connector200. Then, the content of the record medium 101 is transmitted to theexpansion card 111 via the record medium I/F 104 and the expansion I/F110, whose operations are controlled by the bus controller 102. At theexpansion card 111, the program data transmitted from the camera 100under control of the RISC CPU 701 is written to the flash ROM via theexpansion bus interface 201. Accordingly, functions and capacity of thedigital electronic camera, when the expansion card is attached to it,can be changed in the BIOS level, thus the functions of the camera canbe dramatically increased without buying another camera for adding newfunctions.

Then, the record medium 101 storing an application program to beexecuted by the RISC CPU 701 is attached. This application program isalso written to the program RAM 702 of the expansion card via theexpansion bus, in the same manner as above.

As explained above, it is possible to executes various kinds ofapplication programs on the digital electronic camera by changingapplication programs. In other words, by attaching the expansion card,it is possible to perform an operation such as to monitor an image basedon image signals and to record sound signals and image signals from thecamera simultaneously as well as to perform more sophisticatedoperations in accordance with the content written in the program RAM 702and the flash ROM 703.

As programs to be written in the program RAM, there exist various kindsof programs, such as a translation program, a program for imagerecognition and image composition. Further, the record medium 101 to beconnected with the camera 100 is used as a supplier of a processingprogram and BIOS in this embodiment, however, those can be supplied froma information processing device, such as a personal computer, via aSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) bus of the expansion card.Furthermore, the RISC CPU is used as a processor capable of performinghigh speed operation, however, other processors, such as ComplexInstruction Set Computer (CISU) CPU, can replace it.

<Image and Sound Recognition>

Regarding a program having character and sound recognition functions ascontent to be written in the program RAM in the embodiment, a flowchartof the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIG. 3. The operation of the embodiment will be described withreference to the flowchart.

At step S202, the camera starts picking-up an image of an object onwhich characters are written. At step S203, as the camera picks-up animage, operations of lenses, such as focusing and zooming, arecontrolled. At step S204, characters in the image being picked-up arerecognized. At step S205, ratio of unrecognized characters to the totalnumber of characters is calculated based on the result of the characterrecognition at step S204, and whether or not the recognition ratio isover a predetermined value is determined. If it is not (thedetermination result is "NO" at step S205), the process proceeds to stepS206, and after set-up conditions of the camera, such as lens opening,shutter speed, and operation of a stroboscope, are changed so that therecognition ratio achieves a maximum value, then the process moves backto step S204. Note that, in a loop of steps S204 to S206, at least twokinds of images are displayed as shown in FIG. 4 among the picked-upimages, the recognition results, and images in the recognition process(e.g., binarized picked-up image). Thus, by outputting a plurality kindsof images, a user can confirm which condition or conditions for takingimages is/are changed to improve the recognition rate. Further, in thedigital electronics camera, lack of luminance can also be displayed.

At step S207, completion of recognizing the all characters in thepicked-up image is checked on the basis of the recognition result whenthe recognition ratio is its maximum value. When the all characters arenot recognized (i.e., "NO" at step S207), unrecognizable character orcharacters is/are displayed as shown in FIG. 5. When miss-recognizedcharacter or characters is/are found from the recognition result, a usercan mark the character or characters by using a mouse, a pen, etc. Atstep S208, when there is/are unrecognizable and/or miss-recognizedcharacter or characters, a user pronounces the correct character orcharacters to replace it/them. The pronounced sound is recognize at stepS209, and the unrecognized or to be corrected character or charactersis/are replaced with the correct character or characters, then theprocess returns to step S207. Whereas, when the character recognition ofthe picked-up image is completed (i.e., "YES" at step S207), the processproceeds to step S210 and the character recognition result at step S207is stored as character recognition data. At step S211, whether or notthere is any non-common characters, comparison to the recognition resultbefore the character recognition at step S210, is determined. If thereis (i.e., "YES" at step S211), the process moves to step S212, andnon-common characters are extracted from the character recognition datastored at step S210. After that at step S213, the non-common charactersof the character recognition data are stored, and at step S214, whetheror not the character recognition should be continued is determined. Whenthe character recognition is determined to be continued at step S214(i.e., "YES" at step S214), the process returns to step S204 and theprocesses S204 to S214 are repeated. Whereas the character recognitionis determined to end (i.e., "NO" at step S214), the entire program ofthe embodiment is completed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the picked-up image, the recognition result, and oneof images in the recognition process which are obtained at steps S204 toS206 shown in the flowchart in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates an example ofa display showing unrecognized characters when the every character isnot recognized. While the characters are displayed as in FIGS. 4 and 5,if there is/are any miss-recognized character or characters, it ispossible to correct it/them by marking the character and using soundinput.

<Recording Process>

The record processing program written in the program RAM is explainedwith reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

The digital electronics camera can be utilized as a recording apparatuscapable of performing the following recording process. As shown in FIG.1, the digital electronics camera according to the embodiment has arecord operational unit 16 which comprises a character recognition modesetting button 18, the switch button 17 for initiating a releaseoperation, and an external liquid crystal display (LCD) 19 fordisplaying the mode or the like.

When the mechanical and operational unit control CPU 4 detects theactivation of the character recognition mode setting button 18 of therecord operational unit 16, in order to indicate that the present imagepickup mode is character pickup mode on the external LCD 19, the firsttwo letters of "character", namely "CH", are displayed, for instance.When another activation of the character recognition mode setting button18 is detected, then the CPU 4 instructs to stop displaying "CH",thereby a user is informed that the character pickup mode is released.

When the release button 17 of the record operational unit 16 is pressedwhile the character pickup mode is not set, the camera records an imageunder an file name composed of an ordinal number placed after "IMAG",for example. An alternative way to name a file is to add an expansionletters, such as ".IMAG", to emphasis that the file is an image file. Inthis way, as more images are picked-up, files of images are named as"IMAG0001.IMAG", "IMAG0002.IMAG", "IMCAG0003.IMAG", "IMAG0004.IMAG", andso on. Where the release button 17 of the record operational unit 16 ispressed while the character pickup mode is set, the camera records animage under an file name composed of an ordinal number placed after"IMCH", for example. According to this way, as more images arepicked-up, files of images are named as "IMCH0001.IMAG","IMCH0002.IMAG", "IMCH0003.IMAG", "IMCH0004.IMAG", and so on. It shouldbe noted that the respective ordinal numbers can be separately added ateach end of "IMAG" and "IMCH", or can be placed in picked-up orderregardless of the kinds of the files.

As described above, files are stored under distinguishable file names,and flags indicative of the existence of the character mode in the filesare inserted in the file. The data in the files are stored in properarea in various data formats, such as formats of TIFF and JPEG. Forexample, in a JPEG data format, there is a field for storing informationcharacterized by application, such as character recognition andcharacter pickup.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, at the end of the applicationsegment marker code APPO, there are added data which indicates a segmentlength (a segment length excluding a marker code and a length of segmentlength itself, three bytes in the embodiment) and an ASCCI charactersegment, such as two characters, "C" and "H", and a character "T" or "F"indicating "on" or "off". When a personal computer is used to search afile, the flag of the segment can be checked to determine whether or notto perform character recognition. This method is programmed in thesignal processor control CPU 13 in FIG. 1.

Next, an operation of the record processing program according to theembodiment is described with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 7.

Regarding variables used in the flowchart in FIG. 7, `ShootNum` refersassigned number to the newest picked-up image where the numbers aregiven to images in picked-up order, `ChMode` refers a mode showing acharacter recognition mode (`T` for character recognition mode, `F` forotherwise), `FileName` refers a variable length character sequence forstoring a file name when an image is recorded, and `Header` refers atemporary variable for a character sequence for setting the `FileName`.

The process after power on will be explained below.

After the process starts, at step S301, ChMode is set to F showing thatthe apparatus is not in the character recognition mode. If the mode isset to the character recognition mode, the mode is displayed on anexternal LCD, however in this case, nothing is displayed since the modeis not the character recognition mode.

Next at step S302, the maximum file number value is searched by sortingordinal numbers of image files which exist in the record medium. In thisprocess, when the record medium is attached at the first time, therecord medium is actually searched, however, after it is searched once,the latest ordinal number is recorded on the record medium, or anover-writable ROM, such as EEPROM in the CPU 13. By using the numberunless detecting detachment of the record medium, a time for searchingfiles can be shortened. Further, when a file does not exist, the valueis set as 0. Then the variable, ShootNum, is initialized to the maximumvalue +1.

At step S303, the operation of the button on the record operational unit16 by a user is observed. When an operation is detected, the processmoves to step S304.

At step S304, an operation of the button 18 for the characterrecognition mode is awaited, and when any operation is detected, theprocess proceeds to step S305. If the character recognition mode is "T",then the process moves to step S305a, if not, the process moves to stepS305b, and further proceeds to step S306, whereat the characterrecognition mode and the display of the mode are changed. Whereas, whenthe button 18 is detected that it is not pressed at step S304, theprocess proceeds to step S307, and a release operation is checked. In acase where the release operation is not detected, the process moves tostep S308, and other necessary processes are performed, the processreturns to step S303.

If a release button 17 is detected at step S307, the process moves tostep S309 and further moves to step S310, or the process moves to stepS309 and further moves to step S311. There, the header of the file nameis set either `IMAG` or `IMCH` depending on the ChMode detected at stepS309, then at step S312, the variable for FileName showing the file nameis determined by conjugating `IMAG` or `IMCH` with a header convertedfrom `ShootNum`. Then at step S313, an image file is stored in therecord medium in correspondence with the character sequence stored inthe FileName variable as the file name. At this time, a flag whichindicates being a file for character recognition is also stored inaccordance with the ChMode.

When the recording is over, the process moves to step S314 where thevariable of ShootNum is incremented by 1 for the next recording.

The image file made in the aforementioned recording process clearlydistinguishes an ordinary natural image and an image shot for characterrecognition by using the file names. Therefore, a user can easilydistinguish a kind of file of image shot by a camera and stored in arecord medium by using a user interface of a personal computer.

Further, since a flag showing that an image is taken in the characterrecognition mode is also stored in the file, it is possible for apersonal computer to automatically select files for the characterrecognition along with confirming file names and the flags by executingan application, and to process character recognition. The applicationcan be a software executed by a personal computer. A flowchart showing aprocess of an application, such as the aforesaid application, isillustrated in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 8, after the process starts, all the files having expansioncharacters, `.IMAG`, which is added to the file names, and the flag forcharacter recognition, `CHT`, which is stored in an internal applicationsegment are searched at step S401. Then at step S402, characterrecognition process is applied on all the files searched, and thecharacter recognition results are outputted as text files. At this time,all the obtained text files are stored under file names of the imagefiles having expansion characters, `.TXT`, in a record medium. As aresult of this process at step S402, indications, such as,`IMCH$$$$.TXT` are used to express a text file name so as to show thatthe file contains a recognition result of an `IMCH$$$$.IMAG` file, where$$$$ is a character sequence showing an assigned number to a file as anordinal number.

Further, by executing the process in FIG. 8, it becomes possible tosearch character sequences in file names, `IMCH$$$$.TXT`, of a pluralityof text information files which are results of the automatic characterrecognition, therefore, image information of originals of the textinformation and image information shot before and after the original canbe searched. Such a program capable of making the apparatus perform theaforesaid operations can be software executed by a personal computer. Aflowchart illustrating major process performed by executing suchapplication is shown in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 9, after the process starts, files having the expansioncharactors `.TXT`` in their file names and being not processed aresearched at step S501. Then, if any unprocessed file is detected for atstep S502, the process proceeds to step S503, and text information ofthe file is checked whether or not there is any character sequence whichmatches to character sequence of the search conditions. At step S504, ifit is determined that a character sequence matches to the charactersequence of the search conditions, the process moves to step S505.

At step S505, the file name of the original image is displayed byreplacing expansion characters of the sorted text file name by `.IMAG`.Then the original image file and the image files which are stored beforeand after the original file are displayed along with text fileinformation of which the expansion characters match with the ones of theoriginal. These before and after files can be easily searched by usingthe ordinal picked-up numbers of the files. For example, if a name of asearched character recognized file is `IMCH0045.TXT`, its original imagefile name must be `IMCH0045.IMAG`, and the previous image file namesmust be `IMCH0044.IMAG`, `IMAG0044.IMAG`, further the next image filenames must be `IMCH0046.IMAG`, `IMAG0046.IMAG`. When a charactersequence which matches to the character sequence search conditions isnot detected at step S504, and when the process at step 505 iscompleted, the process returns to step S501.

<Modified Example>

In the above-described embodiment, a recording operation of a case wherethe character recognition mode is set before the shooting of an image bya camera is described, the digital electrical camera can be used as areplaying apparatus. In that case, the camera is constructed so that adevice, such as an electric view finder (EVF), is attached to replay animage, accordingly it is possible to change a file name of the imageinto a file name for character recognition after a user checks thecontent by replaying the picked-up image, as well as to set a flag. Inthat case, file name and a flag in the file can be changed when thecharacter recognition mode button on the record operating unit ispressed for a predetermined time period in replay mode.

As explained above, in the digital electronic still camera according tothe embodiment, recorded image files are given names which can clearlydistinguish ordinary natural image files from image files for characterrecognition, therefore, a user can easily distinguish the kinds of filesby using a personal computers or the like.

Further, only files having generated flags for character recognition canbe sorted, thus it is possible for a computer to automatically executethe character recognition, which results in reducing characterrecognition jobs by a user. Furthermore, character sequences of theautomatically character recognized text information can be searched, andimage information which are the original of the text information andinformation on images picked-up before and after the original image canalso be sorted and displayed.

The present invention can be applied to a system constituted by aplurality of devices, or to an apparatus comprising a single device.Furthermore, the invention is applicable also to a case where the objectof the invention is attained by supplying a program to a system orapparatus.

For example, in the embodiment and the modified example as explainedabove, the ordinary image and the image for character recognition aredistinguished by their file names, however, by changing names of subdirectory which stores image files of each mode, the same object can beachieved without distinguishing by file names.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, character recognition modeon the camera is displayed on the LCD, however, a light emitting element(e.g., LED) of certain color can be set inside of a finder of thecamera.

Further, since it is possible to record an image for characterrecognition in fewer tone levels, capacity to record the image can bereduced dramatically. In that case, after the image for characterrecognition is converted into a binarized image, it is recorded byapplying run-length compression.

Further, in the aforesaid embodiment, the character recognition processis automatically executed by a personal computer, however, the processis not limited to execution by a personal computer. For example, it ispossible to apply to an application which distinguishes filestransmitted as by electric mail. Furthermore, a plurality of flags, suchas character recognition and transmission, can be inserted. In thiscase, an apparatus is constructed, for instance, so that the ordinarymode, the character recognition mode, and transmission mode are selectedby pressing the button 18 shown in FIG. 1, as a mode selection button,for different number of times for each mode, and an external LCDdisplays no mode, mode display:CH, or mode display:TX in accordance withthe selected mode. Thus, flags stored in a file are `CHT` and `CHF` fordesignating the character recognition mode, and `TXT` and `TXF` fordesignating the transmission mode, where `TXT`0 and `TXF` indicates`transmission mode ON` and `transmission mode OFF`, respectively.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments andvarious changes and modifications can be made within the spirit andscope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of thescope of the present invention the following claims are made.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image pickup apparatus having a camera whichconverts an object image into object image data, comprising:recordingmeans for recording the object image data; connecting means forconnecting a unit having a signal processing circuit which processes theobject image data stored in said recording means; and a branching meansfor determining either the camera or said recording means from which theobject image data is transmitted via said connecting means when the unitis connected.
 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the unit is constructed to be detachable and attached via saidconnecting means to the camera, and has character recognition means forconverting a character included in the object image data to characterdata.
 3. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 2 furthercomprising means for calculating a recognition ratio of all charactersincluded in the image data on the basis of a recognition result by therecognition means and for setting image pickup conditions of the objectso that the recognition ratio becomes a maximum value.
 4. The imagepickup apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said characterrecognition means displays at least two kinds of image data out of imagedata based on a picked-up image, image data as a recognition result, andan image data in a character recognition process.
 5. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image data in the characterrecognition process is binary data.
 6. The image pickup apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the unit includes a RISC CPU capable ofhigh speed processing.
 7. An image pickup apparatus having a camerawhich encodes sound data, comprising:recording means for recording thesound data; connecting means for connecting with a unit having a signalprocessing circuit which encodes the sound data stored in said recordingmeans; and a branching means for determining either the camera or saidrecording means from which the sound data is transmitted via saidconnecting means when the unit is connected.
 8. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the unit is constructed to bedetachable and attached via said connecting means to the camera, and hassound recognition means for converting the sound data into characterdata.
 9. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein theunit is constructed to be detachable and attached via said connectingmeans to the camera, and having character recognition means forconverting a character included in an object image data to characterdata.
 10. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 9 furthercomprising means for calculating the ratio of the number of recognizedcharacters to total number of to be recognized characters included inthe object image data on the basis of a recognition result by therecognition means and for setting image pickup conditions of an objectso that a recognition ratio becomes a maximum value.
 11. The imagepickup apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said characterrecognition means displays at least two kinds of image data out of imagedata based on a picked-up image, image data as a recognition result, andan image data in a character recognition process.
 12. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image data in the characterrecognition process is binary data.
 13. The image pickup apparatusaccording to claim 10, wherein, when the recognition ratio shows themaximum value and all the characters are not recognized, the characterrecognition means displays unrecognized characters of the object imagedata.
 14. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 13, wherein theunrecognized characters of the object image data is changed bypronouncing correct character and by converting the pronounced characterinto the character data.
 15. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein the unit includes a RISC CPU capable of high speedprocessing.
 16. An image pickup apparatus taking sound data as well asimage data, comprising:image processing means for converting the imagedata into digital data; sound processing means for converting the sounddata into digital data, wherein the digitized image and sound data arecombined and recorded; and a detachable unit which can be connected to acamera comprising said image processing means and said sound processingmeans via connecting means provided on the camera, wherein said unit hassound recognition means for converting the sound data into characterdata.
 17. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 16, wherein theunit has character recognition means for converting a character in theimage data to character data.
 18. The image pickup apparatus accordingto claim 17 further comprising means for calculating a recognition ratioof all characters included in the image data on the basis of arecognition result by the character recognition means and for settingimage pickup conditions of an object so that the recognition ratiobecomes a maximum value.
 19. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 18, wherein said character recognition means displays at least twokinds of image data out of image data based on a picked-up image, imagedata as the recognition result, and an image data in a characterrecognition process.
 20. The image pickup apparatus according to claim19, wherein the image data in the character recognition process isbinary data.
 21. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 18,wherein, when the recognition ratio shows the maximum value and allcharacters are not recognized, the character recognition means displaysunrecognized characters of the image data.
 22. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 21, wherein the unrecognized characters ofthe image data is changed by pronouncing correct character or charactersand by converting the pronounced character or characters into thecharacter data.
 23. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 16,wherein the unit includes a RISC CPU capable of high speed processing.24. An image pickup apparatus taking sound data as well as image data,comprising:image processing means for converting the image data intodigital data; sound processing means for converting the sound data intodigital data, wherein the digitized image and sound data are combinedand recorded; and a detachable unit which can be connected to a cameracomprising said image processing means and said sound processing meansvia connecting means provided on the camera, wherein said unit includesa RISC CPU capable of high speed processing.
 25. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 24, wherein said unit has sound recognitionmeans for converting the sound data into character data.
 26. The imagepickup apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the unit has characterrecognition means for converting a character in the image data tocharacter data.
 27. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 26further comprising means for calculating a recognition ratio of allcharacters included in the image data on the basis of a recognitionresult by the recognition means and for setting image pickup conditionsof an object so that the recognition ratio becomes a maximum value. 28.The image pickup apparatus according to claim 27, wherein said characterrecognition means displays at least two kinds of image data out of imagedata based on a picked-up image, image data as a recognition result, andan image data in a character recognition process.
 29. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 28, wherein the image data in the characterrecognition process is binary data.
 30. The image pickup apparatusaccording to claim 27, wherein, when the recognition ratio shows themaximum value and all characters are not recognized, the characterrecognition means displays unrecognized characters of the image data.31. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 30, wherein theunrecognized characters of the image data is changed by pronouncingcorrect character or characters and by converting the pronouncedcharacter or characters into the character data.
 32. An image pickupapparatus having a camera which converts an object image into objectimage data, comprising:recording means for recording the object imagedata; connecting means for connecting a unit having a signal processingcircuit which processes the object image data stored in said recordingmeans; and a switching means for switching either the camera or saidrecording means from which the object image data is transmitted via saidconnecting means when the unit is connected.
 33. The image pickupapparatus according to claim 32, wherein the unit is constructed to bedetachable and attached via said connecting means to the camera, and hascharacter recognition means for converting a character included in theobject image data to character data.
 34. The image pickup apparatusaccording to claim 33 further comprising means for calculating arecognition ratio of all characters included in the image data on thebasis of a recognition result by the recognition means and for settingimage pickup conditions of the object so that the recognition ratiobecomes a maximum value.
 35. The image pickup apparatus according toclaim 33, wherein said character recognition means displays at least twokinds of image data out of image data based on a picked-up image, imagedata as a recognition result, and an image data in a characterrecognition process.
 36. The image pickup apparatus according to claim35, wherein the image data in the character recognition process isbinary data.
 37. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 33,wherein the unit includes a RISC CPU capable of high speed processing.